Microscope Museum

Collection of antique microscopes and other scientific instruments

Microscope 361 (Nikon; microscope series S; 1970s)

Nikon was established in 1917 when three Japanese optical manufacturers merged to form a company known as Nippon Kogaku KK ('Japan Optics'), producing precision optical glass. Nikon headquarters at the time was within Tokyo Keiki at 120 Haramachi, Koishikawa-ku, Tokyo (Hakusan 4 chome, Bunkyo-ku today). In 1925, Nikon expanded to produce the first microscope with a revolving nosepiece and interchangeable objectives (the Joico microscope). The trademark JOICO was from the initials of Japan Optical Industry Co., a translation of Nippon Kogaku K. K., the company's name at the time. In 1945, with the end of World War II, production shifts to cameras, microscopes, binoculars, surveying instruments, measuring instruments and ophthalmic lenses. In 1946, the Nikon brand name was adopted for small-sized cameras. Microscope 361 is a Nikon “S” series microscope and should correspond to the version S-Cb, in which the base has a built-in substage illuminator with double collector lens system that ensures bright, even illumination throughout the entire magnification range. The instrument contains a monocular and a binocular head. The monocular head is fitted with a Carl Zeiss eyepiece also labelled with “Orthoskop-Okular 17x”. The binocular head has the serial number 104718 and is fitted with two Nikon’s eyepieces WF10X-18MM. The stand of the microscope has the serial number 86614 and the instrument should be dated to the 1970s.

Note: this instrument was kindly donated by Dave Levell (Pembrokeshire, Wales) in May 2023.

Figure 1. Nikon microscope model S-Cb as engraved in a 1976 catalogue of the firm.